Bigger Than

One has only to view the expanse of the heavens to realize the
vastness of our God. But sometimes our behavior contradicts that He is
bigger than anything and everything. Our lack of faith is revealed by
the few and small things we expect God to do in us and through us. We
sadly have the tendency to make God over in our image, thereby putting
Him in a box of our making and limiting our belief in His ability.



As
a shepherd boy, David spent many a night beneath the star-studded
heavens and many a day under sunny skies of blue. As a result he was
well-acquainted with His more-than-able and bigger-than God. It was
David who penned:



The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours
forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech,
nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out
through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world. In
them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming
out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its
rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end
of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat. ~Psalm 19:1-6 (NASB)



And also:



When
I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of
him, and the son of man that You care for him? ~Psalm 8:3-4 (NASB)



Oh,
that we might have this view of our great God's vastness! (Perhaps we
should all spend more time outdoors, heads back, searching the heavens
and contemplating our big God.)



Because of David's lofty view of
God, it comes as no surprise to us in 1 Samuel 17 when as a youth, he
takes on a giant by the name of Goliath. To refresh your memory, let me
paraphrase part of the story as the Israelites and King Saul meet the
Philistine army in the valley of Elah.

One of the Philistine
soldiers, Goliath, over nine feet tall with his armor weighing in at 125
pounds, taunted the Israelite soldiers for forty days. David happened
upon the scene at the end of this time, and his brothers informed him of
Goliath.



David's response showed his belief in his bigger-than God. "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” (vs. 26b, NASB)



The
young shepherd was brought before King Saul, and he quickly offered to
fight Goliath. The king gave David use of his armor and sword, but he
refused in favor of his shepherd's garb, a sling and five smooth stones.



Goliath
laughed when the young man approached, continuing his taunts and
threats, but David's bold and courageous faith in his bigger-than God
comes through loud and clear in his answer to the giant.



“You
come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in
the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you
have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my
hands...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and
that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword
or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our
hands.” (v.45-47, NASB)



Story after story in God's Word
reveals people's big faith in their even bigger God--Moses, Abraham,
Caleb, Joshua, Paul, and countless unnamed people who expected and
received the miraculous. It's time to exhibit that same kind of faith,
realizing the battle belongs to our bigger-than God. Only then will we
experience victory and give Him the glory He deserves.



Now to
Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or
think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.
Amen. ~Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)



APPLICATION:


Can you remember a time in your life when God personally demonstrated His "big"-ness to you?
What was your response?
What seemingly insurmountable battle are you facing right now?
How have you exhibited faith in our bigger-than God?
Do you know someone who could use a reminder of how big God is?

PRAYER: Father
God, we praise You for being "bigger than" any problem, situation or
battle we face. Forgive our lack of trust and tendency to limit You and
Your ability. Help us view our problems in light of who You are. May we
be quick to offer You the glory and praise You so richly deserve as our
bigger-than God. Amen.